VOLUME 5, NUMBER 7 • FALL 2017 the Swedish Colonial society journal PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF THE NEW SWEDEN COLONY IN AMERICA

Restoration and IN THIS ISSUE: Rededication of the

“Power and Politics” Governors of Morton New Sweden: Peter Hollender Monument 7 Ridder page 3

Johan Classon 11 Risingh

New Sweden on the Delaware

10 News of Sweden Y-DNA Points to 15 Finnish Origin for the Likins Family

Craig Collection 18 Activities

News of 20 New Sweden GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE

The Swedish Colonial Society 916 South Swanson Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147

Greetings, everyone,

Saturday, October 1, 2016, was indeed a very special day. We celebrated and paid tribute at his gravesite to an unmistakable American hero, John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and great- grandson of Mårten Mårtensson, an early New Sweden settler from Finland. John Morton was born in 1725 in Ridley Township south of Philadelphia, and died of tuberculosis on April 1, 1777, age 51. He was interred at the Old Swedish Burial Ground which dates back to 1684-5. The memorial obelisk that marks his burial site was in serious need of repair so The Swedish Colonial Society undertook to raise funds to restore and preserve it, which was accomplished successfully. You can visit this historic cemetery, enclosed by a low brick wall, in Chester on PA Route 291 between Avenue of the States and Welsh Street. At the ceremony, it was my pleasure and honor to introduce our premier speaker, H.E. Ambassador Björn Lyrvall, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States. You can read his remarks in the article on page 6. Special thanks to the Rev. Kim-Eric Williams, The Swedish Colonial Society’s historian, for presenting an historical overview, and also to our special guest speaker Erik Burro for his excellent reenactment of John Morton which included an oration. Many dignitaries attended and made commemorative remarks. Please see details in the John Morton Commemoration article on the next page. Many benefactors contributed to make the occasion possible and they are listed on page 5. What made this preservation project real was that it happened at the actual burial site of John Morton, his final resting place, not a replica nor a symbolic icon. The preservation ceremony was followed by a Swedish buffet luncheon at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Essington PA. There are big undertakings initiated for Governor Printz Park in Essington PA. The entire Swedish Farmstead, recreating a typical 17th-century Swedish farm, constructed in 1988 to help commemorate the 350th anniversary of New Sweden, will be moved from Bridgeton NJ and all seven cabins will be reinstalled in Printz Park, which will be part of a New Sweden Theme Park. The Swedish Colonial Society is supporting this project; we will start with one cabin and proceed from there. The location of Governor Printz Park is historic: The Printzhof, which was located on the spot where Governor Printz Park is, was the home of Johan Printz, governor of New Sweden, who in 1643 moved his capital from Fort Christina to Tinicum Island, making it the first European settlement in Pennsylvania. The Farmstead, as part of the New Sweden Theme Park, will be for children of all ages to enjoy, and include educational programs as well as hands-on activities such as a vegetable garden, tot lots, bocce courts, recreational paths, music events, a path of “Stepping Stones” to Printzhof, food, and other outdoor activities. Stop by the park this spring and summer and enjoy the present Gov. Printz Park and its views overlooking the Delaware River. Then come by over the next months and years to see how the Farmstead and Theme Park are progressing.

Very best regards,

Michael R. D’Andrea, Governor

2 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL JOHN MORTON CELEBRATION Commemoration of

john morton, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Swedish Colonial Society and Celebration of the Restoration of Our Mission is to preserve and promote the history, genealogy and culture of the the John Morton Gravesite Obelisk New Sweden Colony in America Our Purposes are: 1. To collect, archive and publish On Saturday, October 1st, approximately 45 people materials gathered under overcast skies at the Old Swedish Burial 2. To make colonial genealogical records Ground on Rte. 291 and Avenue of the States in Chester, broadly available Pennsylvania, to celebrate the restoration of the obelisk at 3. To acknowledge members’ proven John Morton’s gravesite. descent from colonial forefathers The Old Swedish Burial Ground dates back to as early 4. To encourage awareness and as 1643 and adjoins the original site of St. Paul’s Episcopal preservation of monuments at Church, built in 1702. historic sites John Morton (1725-1777) was a Pennsylvania farmer, 5. To celebrate historic and cultural surveyor, and jurist who was the only signer of the events and accomplishments relating Declaration of Independence of Scandinavian descent. He had held local and state-wide positions including High to the colonial Swedes and Finns Sheriff of Chester County and a Justice for Chester (now in America John Morton (1725-1777) Delaware) County. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from 1756 to 1776 and he also served as Visit our website associate justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. www.ColonialSwedes.net John Morton was born in Ammansland, Ridley Township, the posthumous son of John Morton (1683-1725) and Mary Archer (died 1777). His paternal grandfather was Mårten Mårtensson, Jr., of the family that emigrated from Sweden in 1654. continued on next page

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THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 3 JOHN MORTON CELEBRATION Edward R. Root, MD

JOHN MORTON continued from page 3 Not only is the grave marked by a handsome monolith with inscriptions on all four sides but also by 3 plaques including one placed by the Delaware County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and another by the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Inc. The ceremony was highlighted by a procession of more than nine colonial reenactors and descendants of John Morton. Michael R. D’Andrea, Governor of The Swedish Colonial Society, welcomed everyone and the Rev. Kim-Eric Williams, Historian of SCS, gave an incisive John Morton John Morton reenactor Erik Burro in period costume holding forth historical background. dramatically about the situation and events that led to John Our premiere speaker, Morton casting the deciding vote in favor of the Colonies adopting His Excellency Björn Lyrvall, the Declaration of Independence. Ambassador of Sweden to the United States, delivered a fine speech covering the historical context of John Morton and of the excellent and constant Swedish and Discovered: An Unknown Copy of American relations since the early the Declaration of Independence days of the Republic. Honorary Governor John by Edward R. Root Cameron introduced the A previously undiscovered copy of the U.S. dignitaries. Each gave brief Declaration of Independence has been found congratulations in recognition in England, of all places, namely in the West of this John Morton historical Sussex Record Office. The two scholars event: the Honorable Thaddeus who are researching this early (mid-1780’s) Kirkland, Mayor, City of Chester parchment manuscript, Danielle Allen and PA, State Representative; Emily Sneff, are from Harvard University. Councilwoman Elizabeth Williams, City of Chester PA; the Honorable Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Thomas J McGarrigle, Pennsylvania State Senator; Councilman John this copy is that the names of the signatories P. McBlain, County of Delaware; Carol Fireng, Education Director, are at random, not like all other known Delaware Historical Society; the Reverend Z. Mark Smith, St. Paul’s copies, i. e., arranged by state. The theory Episcopal Church, Chester PA; Ridley Township Board of Commissioners is thus propounded that this copy may representative; and Marja Kaisla, Finnish-born President of the Finnish have been commissioned by James Wilson, American Society of the Delaware Valley made some concluding a nationalist lawyer from Pennsylvania commemorative remarks. who attended the 1787 Constitutional Four of the dignitaries presented Resolutions promulgated by their Convention. respective government institutions: the Senate of Pennsylvania, the Board Historians are intrigued because this of Commissioners of Township of Ridley, the Council of Delaware copy may shine a bit of light on an ongoing County, and the City of Chester, Pennsylvania. debate in American history: Was the random Two Special Guest Speakers included a few words about preserving order meant to send the message that the and passing on colonial Swedish and Finnish history, from Aleasa Hogate, signers are individuals of the nation and not Education Director of the New Sweden Centre. representatives of states? The second Special Guest Speaker, Erik Burro, John Morton reenactor, complete with cape, commanded a great presence as he strode confidently Ref.: The New York Times, April 22, 2017, pp. C1, C4 back and forth as John Morton. He presented facts about his life during

4 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL JOHN MORTON CELEBRATION

TWO PHOTOS, TEN GOVERNORS!

All Governors from 1977 to the present are pictured except Herbert Gullberg, 1982-1984, and William B. Neal, 1997-2000.

Kristina Antoniades, left, and DeAnn Clancy admire the John Morton Monument Restoration cake the very important and historical Revolutionary period as the American colonies, together, sought to forge Governors celebrate the Morton Monument restoration October 2016, left to right, Herbert R. Rambo; a new nation. On the national current Governor Michael R. D’Andrea; Margaret Sooy Bridwell; The Rev. Kim-Eric Williams, D.Min.; and level Morton was chairman of the Ronald A. Hendrickson, Esq. Committee of the Whole of the Continental Congress which adopted the Articles of Confederation. From Swedish Colonial News, Volume 1, Number 13 (Spring 1996) The commemorative event continued with a Swedish buffet luncheon at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Essington PA, sponsored by The Swedish Colonial Society. A good time was had by all as they ended the meal by munching on some John Morton Monument Restoration cake.

Benefactors The Swedish Colonial Society Finnish American Society of Delaware Valley SCS Governors gather at Julmiddag 1995. From left to right: John Widtfeldt, present governor with Marilyn Ware, US Ambassador past governors Wally Richter, Benkt Wennberg, Erik Törnqvist and John Cameron. (photo by Beth to Finland 2006-2008 Linnerson-Daly) Kristina Antoniades Jill D’Andrea Herb Rambo Ron and Cynthia Beatty Forney Foundation Morton celebration photos by Edward R. Root Ann Moore

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 5 JOHN MORTON CELEBRATION

REMARKS BY SCS PATRON HIS EXCELLENCY BJÖRN LYRVALL, AMBASSADOR OF SWEDEN

Good morning, I’m happy to see so many here to honor one of our brothers who was so instrumental in starting this great country. Thank you for inviting me to take part. Just last weekend I was up in this general area to attend the King Neptune Gala (I probably saw some of you there). Both of these events, and the others held throughout the year, help to honor our forefathers and keep the memory alive of the roles Swedes have played in Björn Lyrvall, Ambassador of Sweden making America great. to the United States since September 2013 at the Morton Monument It’s an honor to be here near the final resting place of the many Swedes who ceremony, Chester PA. settled in this area, and whose final resting place became the site of this place of worship. I’ve read that arrangements were made by the Government to fund monuments for each of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. John Morton, of Swedish and Finnish descent, was the only Scandinavian to sign the document, and inserted Sweden once again into the history of the formation of the new nation. While his signature was not as large as John Hancock’s nor his footprint on history as large as those of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, nor is his obelisk as large as the one in Washington, DC, honoring George Washington, John Morton was instrumental in changing the course of history forever by casting the deciding vote to leave England on July 4, 1776. He also served as chairman of the committee which wrote the Articles of Confederation. I am honored to meet so many of his descendants here today. And it elevated his position among Swedes who came to this country. Many others rose above the crowd during the Revolutionary War, developing the Midwest and taming the Wild West, the Civil War, Reconstruction, industrialization, and everything that has happened in this country since its founding. Like John Morton, Swedish Americans have shared values of hard work, a sense of community, a strong faith and a steadfast belief in the opportunities of their new homeland. They became an indispensable part of the United States of America. Today’s partnership between Sweden and the United States is bound by these same values. We share the same interest in addressing the most critical challenges in an ever changing global environment. We strive to create a world defined by peace, security, and respect for human rights. We are working closely together with the United States to find the important balance between Internet freedom and data privacy and security. Together we address climate change and air pollution through international climate negotiations, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and the Arctic Council. John Morton and his fellow delegates took a leap of faith by signing the declaration of separating from England. But the results have far exceeded the expectations of those men so long ago. They saw great potential in this land between the oceans. This country has prospered – and I’d like to think that Swedes had a lot to do with that. Sweden is a proud ally of the United States and proud of all the sons and daughters who have helped to create our great friend in trade, innovation and human rights. And we are very proud that John Morton signed his name on that fateful day in 1776! Thank you

6 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL Tytti Halonen (Lecture, 14 November 2015) GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

In an effort to see that New Sweden History Conference scholarly speeches are presented for more general use after the presentations, herein are two of the speeches from the November 2015 (Fifteenth Annual) NSHC entitled “Power and Politics in New Sweden, 1638-1655,” on Governors Ridder and Risingh. Unfortunately other fine speeches have not yet been presented, with the sole exception of The Rev. Kim-Eric Williams’ thought-provoking article entitled, “Johan Björnsson Printz (1592-1663): Tyrant or Tactician,” which can be found in “The Timen Stiddem Society Newsletter,” issue 65, winter-spring 2016, pp. 17-20. This newsletter also has articles in 2015 and 2016 by Christina W. Lassen reporting on each conference. }

GOVERNOR Peter Hollender Ridder

Development of Ft. Christina military fort into the New Sweden Settlement, 1640 – 1643

Introduction HOLLENDER RIDDER AND HALONEN FAMILY STORY REDISCOVERED LETTERS OF PETER RIDDER The first time I heard about Peter I have based this lecture on rediscovered letters of Peter Ridder. Five Hollender Ridder was about 50 years ago. years ago I happened to find at Swedish National Archives five of The Hollender Ridder family story says that Ridder’s letters written in 1640 from New Sweden and an undated he used to be the Commandant of Viipuri after his return. They are written to Admiral Klaus Larsson Fleming and Castle and he put the Viipuri Councilors Axel Oxenstierna, who was the Lord High Chancellor of Sweden while into chains. As a reward Queen Christina Queen Christina was still a minor. These letters were also addressed to gave him a Mill near Viipuri. the Queen. My conclusion then was: How In a newly discovered letter, found in Finland archives, apparently fascinating, I have married Matti Halonen, a penned in 1644 (sic 1944) or 1645 to Oxenstierna after Ridder’s return descendant of a pirate! About five years ago to Sweden, he seeks compensation for his nearly 5 years of service, I happened to ask my husband “What about having received none. finding out who that Dutch pirate ancestor It was hard to find an expert able and willing to transcribe and of yours was anyway?” This is what we are translate the letters. We are in invaluable debt of honor to two highly still trying to figure out. competent experts. Dr. Tette Hofstra, Professor Emeritus, University of Groningen, the Netherlands, transcribed the Old High German texts in WHY WAS THE FINNISH FAMILY OF full for the first time to Latin script. After that we were fortunate to have RIDDERS CALLED “HOLLENDER”? these complete texts for the very first time translated into English by Peter Ridder was about 15 years old when Dr. Alfred R. Wedel, Professor Emeritus, University of Delaware. his father Master Skipper Hans Ridder and his family sailed from the Province of Holland to Tammisaari, (Ekenäs in Swedish), Finland, where he grew to manhood. Besides seafarers, the men of the Ridder family were literate. In the 1620’s ambitious Skipper Ridder sent his sons to the Stockholm Admiralty where Peter was promoted to lieutenant.

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 7 GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

Dr. Wedel used to be a neighbor of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Seppälä, our great friends, whom I suppose I am to thank for the honor of standing here in front of you. In 2014 Swedish Colonial News published all these letters edited by Dr. Edward Root with introduction by Dr. Kim Eric Williams.1 2015 is the 375th Anniversary of Commandant Lieutenant Peter Ridder landing at “The Rocks”. This is good reason for us to find out what part this Commandant played here. The two most important points of his time on the Delaware I will concentrate on: • Ridder and the Dutch Officers of Fort Christina and • Ridder and the Paradise of Forest Finns

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Part 1: Tytti Halonen lives in Ridder and the Dutch Helsinki and is a member of the Swedish Colonial Officers of Fort Christina Society. She received her MA in Historic Philology “TO GOVERN” OR “TO OBEY” from Helsinki University and O cer fashion in Ridder’s time: The man here is not Peter Ridder her Librarian degree from Peter Ridder was chosen by Admiral Fleming as but he represents the o cer fashion of his time. A Baroque period Tampere University, and the Commandant of Fort Christina. He must o cer’s collars, trousers, even boots had laces. And look at his she transcribed Old Swedish have noticed that Lieutenant Ridder had good mustache and the ostrich plume in his hat. Isn’t he handsome? manuscripts at Helsinki judgement and strong resolution. Later he was University and worked as also found to be able to work independently and be efficient in controlling the interests of the Chief Librarian at Järvenpää New Sweden Company. Now Ridder had two orders: Fleming’s written Library. I think this Episode of The Old Mayor Instructions, which were completely conflicting She has made Ridder characterizes Peter Ridder: In 1639, the with Oxenstierna’s oral orders. biography research Admiralty sent Ridder to his old home town In each of his letters Ridder was asking Fleming trips to actual historic Tammisaari to supervise the recruitment of and Oxenstierna to solve this contradiction. But he locations in Stockholm, the boatmen. The mayor refused to obey the orders never had “good orders” from Stockholm. He had Netherlands, the Delaware of young Lieutenant Ridder. Peter had his men to decide for himself what to do and to bear alone Valley, and to Viipuri/ put the Mayor in chains.2 the responsibility without the support of Fleming Vyborg, formerly in Finland, Chancellor Oxenstierna wanted to see and Oxenstierna. now in Russia. Ridder for himself so he was commanded to come to Oxenstierna’s Palace, Tidö, his Baroque CONFLICTS WITH THE DUTCH manor on Lake Mälaren west of Stockholm. In Ridder’s post-New Sweden letter to Chancellor OFFICERS Oxenstierna, he wrote that Oxenstierna at that The Kalmar Nyckel set sail at the beginning of face to face meeting in 1639 had spoken “highly” September 1639 from Stockholm harbor bound of him and said that he should “continue the for Gothenburg. In addition to Ridder, on board voyage in good spirits.” Oxenstierna had also were three Dutch Officers, a Swedish Reverend, told him “to use all his diligence, loyalty, and some soldiers, servants and settlers with families.6 It best abilities in governing the enterprise New is difficult to know who was a Swede and who was Sweden.”3 a Finn, but it has been estimated that the number Ridder had also received written Instructions of Finns were three.7 Later Ridder reported to undersigned 1 July 1639 by Fleming. These Stockholm that, “In all of Sweden there are no Instructions, with their complicated expressions, dumber and coarser people than the ones that are commanded Ridder to obey the Dutch Captain here now.” 8 and ask advice of the Dutch Commissioner.4, 5

8 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

Here is Ridder’s account of the Dutch sailors “placed three boundary of the Kalmar Nyckel: “The wine and aquavit—all stakes farther up the gone. Wine for religious services of our Lord was river almost 8 – 9 miles also boozed. The steward was completely drunk farther up from Fort every day. The Captain and the Commissary were Nassau,” in American boozing every evening and every morning in secret. miles about 60 and There was no discipline on board, everybody did farther, “We placed what he wanted.” 9 the fourth boundary Actual conflicts between Ridder and the stake a little farther Dutch officers began. He must chose: was he ”to down. Therefore, obey” or “to govern”. In harbor he avoided open the west shore (of conflict with the Dutch officers. But he reported the Delaware River) to Fleming and Oxenstierna on the conduct of belongs to Sweden,” “the Dutch Cockroachs,” as he called the Dutch he reported to Fleming officers. Ridder was never allowed to know where and Oxenstierna in the food or provisions, or often other things, Stockholm.13 could be found.10 The ship was inspected and it was found that the Captain had stolen from the C.A. Weslager’s map provisions. He was removed from his service and includes Ridder’s extensions another was appointed.11 of years 1640 and 1641 so we On 7 February 1640 the sails were spread can see that parts of both sides and the course was taken through the English of the Delaware River belonged 12 Channel over the Atlantic Ocean. The Castle of to New Sweden. 14 Medemblik north of Amsterdam was the last of the Old World the people on board the Kalmar Nyckel saw as it vanished over the horizon. PETER RIDDER’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN NEW RIDDER PLACED THE SWEDEN (1640-1643) BOUNDARY STAKES OF The Dutch Officers tried to sabotage Ridder’s NEW SWEDEN every effort: They even let the seeds get spoiled, It took seven strenuous months for the voyage they ordered damage to the fishing nets and had from Gothenburg to Fort Christina, arriving on 17 the sawed planks for building chopped into useless 15 April 1640. Thus did the Kalmar Nyckel return for pieces. They refused even to give gun powder to 16 the second time to “The Rocks.” Ridder, the commandant of the the Fort. Relations between Ridder and the Dutch In spite of this sabotage, Ridder not only officers were tense. Without telling Ridder, they set stakes for the expanded boundaries for New sailed up the Delaware River in a sloop to place Sweden, but also the boundary stakes of New Sweden. But the • suggested a new fort be built below the Dutch Fort Nassau did not allow them to sail narrowest point of the river for the control of 17 farther upstream. So they came back. After their the Delaware River failed excursion, they planned to sail with the • repaired the tumbling walls and enlarged the armed Kalmar Nyckel in front of the Dutch fort, fort though their instructions ordered them to try to do • fortified the artillery of the fort 18 everything in a friendly manner. Now Ridder had to choose again between whether he was “to obey” or “to govern.” In this After the Company became entirely Swedish he crucial situation Ridder did not obey. ordered built: 19 On 21 April Ridder and his men sailed upstream • a windmill in the sloop to explore the intentions of the Dutch • a meeting house or chapel, or perhaps even a fort. When the sloop was passing by, the fort little church, which was built before he left New shot at them and one of Ridder’s men fired his Sweden 20 musket. However, when they arrived upstream • three dwelling houses, a store house and a barn they bought land from the Indians or “the wild inside the fort 21 men” as Ridder called them. Ridder wrote that he contined on next page

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 9 GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

B U L L ET I N Part 2: Ridder and the Paradise of Forest Finns News of Sweden “BETTER CLASS OF COLONISTS AND FREEMEN” Sweden’s royal family now has a new member. Princess Sofia gave birth to a baby boy at Danderyd Hospital near Stockholm on In the fall of the next year, 1641, the Company 22 August 31. This is Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia’s second child became entirely Swedish. This solved Ridder’s and second son (Prince Alexander was born in April 2016). King Carl problem of “obeying” or “governing.” Ridder was XVI Gustaf announced that the new prince’s name is Gabriel Carl the highest representative of the Swedish Crown Walther and he is styled as and now he had free hands for two years. Fleming Duke of Dalarna, which is and Oxenstierna had decided to support Ridder. no surprise since Princess Ships Kalmar Nyckel and Charitas brought most of Sofia hails from that the articles Ridder asked for.23 province. “A better” class of colonists and freemen also At present King Carl arrived at “the Rocks”. The number of Finns Gustaf and Queen Silvia’s was about forty,24 many of whom were Forest three children each has Finns. After a rough voyage we can imagine two children, but that how delighted a Forest Finn would be when he won’t last very long: The looked around Fort Christina: Outside the fort he court recently announced observed good land for sowing crops and beautiful that Princess Madeleine is meadows for grazing cattle and horses. Once again expecting a third child. he could legally cultivate surrounding deep forests. © INSTAGRAM/PRINCE CARL PHILIP, THE ROYAL COURT, SWEDEN (Finnish scholars prefer in English “swiddening” instead of “slash-and-burn” and “burn-beating” terminology.) It was now that Ridder realized the abilities of the As of September first, Sweden has a Forest Finns: “one man’s planting would produce new ambassador in Washington, enough corn for nine men’s yearly food”.25 Karin Olofsdotter. Most recently According to ethnographer Kustaa Vilkuna, the her post at the Ministry for Foreign Grand Old Man of Finnish ethnography, Forest Affairs was Director-General for Finns were able to make one grain of rye yield up Trade Policy and she previously was to 80 grains.26 Ambassador to Hungary and has held This brings us to just one example of the Forest posts in the Embassies in USA and Finns’ sophisticated culture: rye seed produced in Russia as well as having represented the riihi or drying barn. Sweden at NATO and the European Union. She is married and has 2 children. RYE SEED PRODUCTION IN She comes from Halmstad in Halland “RIIHI” (DRYING BARN) province on Sweden’s west coast. Inside the riihi (pictured on page 21), the stone We wish her well on her return to oven was heated to a precise temperature in order PHOTO BY FREDRIK SANDBERG/TT Washington DC! to dry every grain so that it would not rot. Usually an old master of the house knew this best from his experience. He was awake day and night to maintain the correct temperature. Most important is that every grain must have just enough smoke to preserve its fertility for many years. As a result of long development “riihi” grew in size, but their function remained the same. contined on page 21

10 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL Hans Norman (Lecture, 14 Nov. 2015, revised through Jan. 2017) GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

Johan Classon Risingh GOVERNOR OF NEW SWEDEN

BACKGROUND RISINGH AS THE LEADER OF Johan Classon Risingh, the last governor of New Sweden, NEW SWEDEN was born in 1616 or 1617. He was the son of Claes Bothvidi, The instructions (known as a ‘memorial’ at the time) Risingh the dean of Risinge parish in Östergötland and also cousin of received from both Queen Christina and the Board of Commerce Governor Johan Printz. bear witness to a strong determination to defend the colony. In The career of Johan Risingh may exemplify that of a the memorial which the Queen sent with him, it was declared that successful public official in seventeenth century Sweden. New Sweden must be maintained and, furthermore, be expanded He studied at the gymnasium in Linköping and at Uppsala for the sake of trade. Risingh’s instructions also emphasized the University he defended a dissertation in philosophy in the value of the extension of New Sweden’s borders, the distribution year 1640 (23-24 years old). After further studies he became of land to the colonists, as well as the administrative, judicial, the private tutor for two young counts, Claes Tott and Sten and religious organization of the colony with an eye to the Bielke. He accompanied them on their foreign journeys, development of the economy and trade. The memorial even stated an activity which in the seventeenth century was part of the that the person who wished to purchase land in New Sweden from education of every nobleman of high birth. the company or from the Indians should receive allodial rights Risingh was interested in economic theory and practice (free and clear ownership) for himself and his heirs. early on. He studied the subject thoroughly in the Netherlands and England, became very knowledgeable and was regarded as a promising young man. He had close contacts with central figures in Sweden’s cultural and learned circles. With one of them, Georg Stiernhielm, he had a lively correspondence, and during his stay abroad he acquired scientific instruments and books for Stiernhielm. During the 1640’s, Risingh’s life was filled with work on a thesis concerning national economy. Stiernhielm recommended him to Queen Christina for a grant for the writing and printing of his work. Furthermore, his knowledge of economics qualified him for a post on the newly established Board of Commerce. In the summer of 1651 he became secretary to the Board. His career developed quickly: In Risinge Old Church December 1653 he accepted the task of travelling to New Sweden as an appointed commissioner of the Board of Commerce and as assistant councilor to Governor Johan Printz. At the same time, he was raised to the nobility with the name Risingh (thereafter spelled with the ‘h’). At the end of February 1654, after Risingh had already started his journey to New Sweden, it became known in the home country that Printz had sailed from America the previous October. Risingh was assigned to lead the colony until a new governor arrived. Not before June 1655, shortly before it was lost to the Dutch, he became governor of New Sweden.

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 11 GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

An admirable energy characterized Risingh’s In contrast, Risingh may perhaps best be rule, judging by his journal notes. He stubbornly characterized as a learned public servant. As he strove to get people to stay and to get those who lacked military training, which probably was a had moved to Maryland to return, and he did disadvantage in such an exposed border position everything in his power to integrate the Dutch as New Sweden, it can be debated if he was the colonists there into the colony. As far as the most suitable man for his post. Indians were concerned, he systematically tried Risingh’s methods and orientation diverged on to renew the agreements regarding land transfers important points from Printz’ rule, circumstances and initiate trade with them. In cooperation with which made him a good leader. The two the colonists he worked out an ordinance that was governors clearly had different attitudes towards in accord with the new instructions from Sweden the treatment of the people in the colony. Printz for freer forms of land acquisition and business was authoritarian toward the colonists, probably enterprise which stimulated life in the little society influenced by his long service in the Thirty Years’ for which he was responsible. War, an attitude that created great opposition Risingh’s interest in promoting future trade against him and, in turn, strong reactions from influenced his location of new settlements, Printz. buildings, and defense. In these matters, he Risingh strove to dampen antagonism and ABOUT THE AUTHOR appears to have had a consistent long-range to tone down the earlier opposition to the strategy. While Printz developed the Indian trade colony’s leadership. He assembled the colonists Hans Norman is a Professor at the mouth of the Schuylkill River, Risingh and informed them about the existing rules and Emeritus of history at had another view of the prerequisites for a the measures that needed to be taken. From the Uppsala University, Sweden. trade policy. He came to an agreement with the first day, he ruled the colony with a three-man Professor Norman’s research Minquas on the purchase of a large tract of land council, including himself, Sven Skute, who was in and writings have focused which increased the area of the colony in the command of the soldiers in the colony, and Johan on Swedish emigration west, gave ample space for new settlements, and Papegoja, who was son-in-law to Johan Printz in the 19th century and provided a buffer to expansion from Maryland. and vice governor when Risingh arrived. This also on Sweden’s Age of That can be seen not only as a part of his attempt group was sometimes increased with the most Greatness. Among his many to facilitate trading with the Indians from experienced colonists. publications is The Rise the Susquehanna River, but also to establish The assertion of New Sweden’s boundaries, the and Fall of New Sweden, permanent connections with the important administration of justice, the creation of order, Governor Johan Risingh’s trading areas on Chesapeake Bay. His plans and the establishment of permanent settlements Journal 1654-1655 in Its envisioned Fort Christina as the central settlement were given high priority by Risingh. He regarded Historical Context, which of New Sweden, from which trade could be this policy as a prerequisite for the development includes his essay The established for the long run between the Dutch of trade and other economic activities in New Swedish Colonial Venture in and English colonies to the north and south. Sweden for the long run. North America, 1638-1655. Thus, the intended primary port, Christinehamn, could flourish. RELATIONS WITH STUYVESANT RISINGH’S STYLE Risingh’s relations with the Dutch colony New OF GOVERNING Amsterdam and with Petrus Stuyvesant should Johan Risingh’s administration can perhaps best also be seen in the light of what Johan Printz had be illustrated by comparing it to the conditions experienced. In the beginning Printz could have that existed under the previous governor Johan had mostly peaceful relations with the Dutch, Printz. because the former Dutch governor, Willem Kieft, In the various accounts of New Sweden’s was a weak leader. With his rather incompetent history Risingh has been overshadowed by Printz. rule, the Dutch were for long periods occupied by Several circumstances have contributed to this war with the Indians. reputation. Risingh’s period as director lasted only With the arrival of Stuyvesant as the new one year and four months while Printz served Dutch governor in New Amsterdam, Printz was ten years. The latter was probably also a more confronted with a person who was his equal colorful personality, and his government has been in taking action. Like Printz, Stuyvesant, an regarded as a forceful authority in the grandiose experienced military man, was described as a spirit of seventeenth-century Sweden. person with a strong will and energy. He made several military demonstrations on the Delaware River with the purpose of frightening Printz and his colonists.

12 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

In addition, Stuyvesant purchased land from the Indians The next day a letter arrived from Stuyvesant, mediated by (which the Swedes earlier had purchased) on the western bank the former commandant of Fort Casimir Gerrit Bicker. (It must at Sandhooken and (although Printz made strong protests) he have been written before Risingh’s letter reached Stuyvesant.) erected Fort Casimir five miles below Fort Christina. Printz’ The Dutch governor came with a surprising and polite message efforts to demonstrate the Swedish rights were completely welcoming Risingh and offering cooperation against the ignored by Stuyvesant, who relied on his military superiority. Indians. The Dutch could now control the traffic on the Delaware. After Risingh’s seizure of Fort Casimir it was, however, not without uneasiness that Stuyvesant’s countermove was awaited. Stuyvesant sent another letter on June 25 with the returning The conquest of Fort Casimir Indian Taques (Peter Jochim had died in New Amsterdam) with When Risingh arrived in May 1654 in the Delaware area and the message that he had nothing more to add to what he had sailed up the river with the warship The Eagle, he was forced into said in his previous letter, but that he intended to come to New a difficult decision. Should he merely try to pass Fort Casimir, Sweden on a suitable occasion. or should he assert the Swedish claims to the area where the In September 1654 Stuyvesant received an excellent fort was located by taking possession of it? After a war council opportunity for revenge when the Swedish ship The Golden with his officers he gave the order to capture the fort, which was Shark, upon its arrival along the North American coast, made surprisingly weak and poorly manned. a navigation error and entered the mouth of the Hudson River The question has often been raised whether Risingh should instead of the Delaware River. have taken possession of Fort Casimir. A close look at Risingh’s Stuyvesant immediatly confiscated The Golden Shark and instructions shows that it was possible to interpret them in its cargo of Swedish food necessities despite the strongest various ways. They encouraged resolution and action on behalf protests of Henrich von Elswich, the leader of the expedition. of Swedish interests, but that action should not go as far as open Von Elswich, who had been appointed as factor (agent) for hostility. On the other hand one instruction says, “First get New Sweden, eventually arrived there by land with a few of the rid of the Dutch (at their Sandhook fort) but with all possible remaining Swedes from the The Golden Shark. The ship stayed caution.” (Erik Oxenstierna and Christer Bonde, 1653) in the service of the Dutch being used on routes to the West Risingh was in a difficult situation. He could be held Indies. The Dutch governor later wanted Risingh to come to responsible if he did not take advantage of the situation. On Manhattan to settle the business with the ship and Fort Casimir, the other hand, if he acted at that time he would perhaps be but Risingh did not go. considered to have exceeded the bounds of his instructions. The As we can see there were few contacts between Risingh and problem was, as Risingh says in his journal, that the decision had Stuyvesant and it appears that both were satisfied not to meet. to be made on the spot. Risingh was of course concerned over Stuyvesant’s menacing Among the officers on The Eagle, Sven Skute, who had been silence and wondered what was happening in New Amsterdam. in the colony when Stuyvesant established the fort, said that For awhile, he was relieved by information received from New Printz had informed Stuyvesant that Fort Casimir would be England through his business contacts. The merchant Isaac retaken as soon as help arrived from Sweden. Allerton on June 25, 1654, informed Risingh that Stuyvesant Risingh also says that the war council agreed to try to get was occupied with countering an attack planned by the English. the fort not by any acts of aggression but rather by forcefully The situation soon changed, however. From his emissary demonstrating Sweden’s legal rights. In that way, the to New Amsterdam, the freeman Hans Månsson, Risingh in instructions Risingh had received would be followed. The fort, the middle of August 1654 heard of the rumors in the Dutch with only nine soldiers in it and with most of their weapons colony saying that the Swedes were starving to death and that turned in for repair, was easily taken without struggle by the the Indians were preparing to kill them. Another rumor had it twenty Swedish musketeers sent ashore under the command of that Stuyvesant was going to attack New Sweden, as peace had Captain Skute and Lieutenant Gyllengren. now been concluded between England and the Netherlands. The situation grew more and more menacing. When the Communications with Stuyvesant directors of the Dutch West India Company in Amsterdam Risingh’s contact with Stuyvesant thereafter was only through learned about the expedition of The Eagle, they immediately correspondence of a few letters. On May 28, six days after took measures to strengthen Stuyvesant militarily. The entire he landed at Fort Christina, he sent a letter to Stuyvesant in Swedish colony should be conquered because the Dutch were Manhattan, carried by one of the freemen in the colony, Peter eager to decisively terminate the Swedish presence on the Jochim, accompanied by the Indian, Taques. Risingh informed Delaware. They also wanted the action to be swift since they him of his arrival. He extended all neighborly good wishes and had been informed that a new Swedish expedition was planned. told Stuyvesant that Fort Casimir had been transferred to the So, in Amsterdam the ship De Waegh was leased from the city Swedes without hostilities and that the governments in the and loaded with war materials and soldiers which were then Netherlands and Sweden surely could come to an agreement transported to New Amsterdam. over it. contined on page 23

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 13 SCS MEMBER NEWS THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY Fellow Award

The recognition and honor of “Fellow At the 9 April 2000 Forefathers’ of The Swedish Colonial Society” is Luncheon held at the Union League, bestowed by the Officers and Council Honorary Consul of Sweden at for distinguished service upon those Philadelphia Agneta Hägglund Bailey individuals who have contributed their presented the first three Fellow time in a leadership capacity or Awards. supported the Society’s Endowment When a candidate is approved, the Fund. A 14-karat gold-filled medal of Fellow Award medal can be presented the Society’s seal depicting a log immediately. Then the new fellow is blockhouse encircled with the words formally recognized at a subsequent “Swedish Colonial Society Fellow” Society function. atop the Three Crowns, which represent Sweden, accompanies this Adapted by the editor from Herbert R. commendation. Rambo’s article, “Fellow Award Created,” In keeping with Society tradition, in the Swedish Colonial News, vol. 2, no. 3, Fall 2000, p. 6 J. E. Caldwell Co., Jewelers, Phila- delphia, was commissioned to produce MEMBERS in the NEWS the award and medal. Caldwell’s has created all our regalia, including the The Swedish Council of America, meeting silver scroll engraved with the Society’s in Philadelphia this year, along with the 1909 invitation to His Majesty King Delaware Valley’s own New Sweden Gustaf V requesting that he accept the Alliance, presented numerous awards at title of “High Patron of the Swedish the Awards Dinner at the Union League Colonial Society,” which he graciously of Philadelphia on May 5, 2017. Receiving did. Honorary Governor William B. Awards of Merit sponsored by The Swedish Neal proposed that the Fellow Award Colonial Society were The Rev. Dr. be created by the Society; he also Kim-Eric Williams, Society Historian designed the medal. (above left), and Ronald Beatty, Society The Council authorizes this award Genealogist (right). An SCA Proclamation to be given 1) for outstanding service, was also presented to recognize the recent 2) to members contributing a minimum dedication of the Augustana Museum at the of $500 to the endowment fund, and Lutheran Archives Center in Philadelphia. 3) posthumously as a Memorial. John B. Tepe Jr., our newest fellow, displays his The SCS has a large presence in the Fellow Award along with, on the left, the Fellow Museum. (See the last issue of Medal, presented to him at SCS’ Julmiddag this Journal.) celebration at the Corinthian Yacht Club on ••• FELLOWS OF December 17, 2016. Congratulations and thanks for Sandra Pfaff, SCS Council member, THE SWEDISH all your eorts on behalf of SCS. received the exceptional SCA’s Founder’s COLONIAL SOCIETY Award for “furthering SCA’s mission far and beyond the norm,” and SCS Treasurer 2000: Mr. Wallace F. Richter 2005: Mrs. Nancy C. Hendrickson Ms. Katerina K. Sheronas Mrs. Aleasa J. Hogate Linda Alexy, sponsored by the American Mr. William B. Neal Swedish Historical Museum, also received 2008: Mrs. Margaret Sooy Bridwell an Award of Merit. 2001: Mr. Malcolm L. Mackenzie Mrs. A. Doriney Seagers

Mrs. George C. McFarland, Sr. 2009: Mr. Kenneth S. Peterson Mrs. Dorothy Richter Dr. Erik G.M. Törnqvist (could be 2002) 2010: The Rev Dr. Cynthia Forde-Beatty

Mr. Ronald Beatty 2002: Mr. Ronald A. Hendrickson, Esq. 2015: Mrs. Marie Boisvert The Very Rev. David B. Rivers The Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams 2016: Mr. John Tepe, Esq 2004: Mrs. Frances O. Allmond Mr. Hans Ling Compiled by: Earl E. Seppälä Mrs. Sandra S. Pfa March 28, 2009, Updated February 19, 2017 Mr.Herbert R. Rambo

14 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL Magnus Bäckmark, Akersberga, Sweden GENETIC GENEALOGY Y-DNA points to a Finnish origin FOR THE LIKINS OF NEW SWEDEN, EARLIER FROM LJUSNARSBERG, SWEDEN

”Nils Andersson” could have just been a loose-hanging name in Ljusnarsberg parish, Västmanland, for researchers. From records it can be proven that Nils lived there in the late 1640’s and the early 1650’s. But, thanks to Y-DNA testing, we can now reconstruct what speci c markers on his Y-chromosome looked like and thereby nd clues to his origin. The clues point to Finland.

Nils Andersson left Gothenburg with his family A second major finding has been made for New Sweden on the ship Örn on 2 February thanks to Y-DNA matching: Another Likens/ 1654. It is believed that Nils was one of the Likin family, which earlier was traced back only many who died during the journey across the to Michael Likin, born 1785, (figure 1), is now Atlantic Ocean. When the settlers gathered to identified as a branch on Nils Andersson’s family sign pledges of allegiance to the governor of the tree. Since the Y-DNA link between the four colony, Nils Andersson’s widow (whose name Likins/Likens and Michael Likin’s line covers is unknown) signed for the family. She soon such a long time span, it can preliminarily be remarried to Mats Hansson from Borgå/Porvoo, presumed to be in Nils Andersson’s Y-DNA CRISTER LINDSTRÖM Finland. He became the first settler on Minquas line. If Michael Likin’s branch can be shown Island (later called Boon’s Island after his son- historically to be a branch descending from in-law, Anders Svensson Bonde (1). The area is Nils’ son Michel, born ca 1644, that assumption now in Delaware county on the southern tip of would be proved. (The project also has shown Philadelphia. (2) evidence of a few non-paternal cases, that is, Nils had four known children: Anna, born some branches of Nils Andersson’s now-living ABOUT THE AUTHOR ca 1637, Christina, ca 1639, Peter, ca 1641, legitimate relatives who are proven to have a Magnus Bäckmark, b. 1974, and Michel, ca 1644. The sons adopted a family different biological paternal origin.) genealogist (for a living name which, among literate Swedes in their The Y-DNA profile that most Likins/Likens since 1998), Åkersberga neighborhood, was spelled Laijkan, Laican, share (that is, presumably Nils Andersson’s Laikan and Leikan. English scriveners used the Y-DNA profile) shows a strong affinity to (a little north of Stockholm), spellings Lakian, Lykell, Lyckan, Lykan, Likin, Finland, which is quite typical for the haplogroup e-mail: magnus.baeckmark Lycon, Loykan, Laycon, Laicon and Leycon. that they belong to, N1c1 (N-M178) (4); it is @swipnet.se Today the family name is spelled Likins, Likin, by far the most common haplogroup among Likens or Lykins. men with paternal origin from Finland. Besides The Lykins Family Project, started in 2008, matching each other, their best matches thus far at Family Tree DNA now has 29 members. (3) to other families are to two Toivanens. (5) Nils Some belong to other families but have a similar Andersson’s reconstructed 67-marker haplotype name, for example, one Laiconas from Lithuania. shows only 6 differences from them. They On the other hand, four men, Carney, David, descend according to written records from Petter Andrew, and Liam (figure 1) with known Toivanen (1658-1738) of Kajoo in Juga parish historical lineage from Nils Andersson turn out to (Finnish Juuka), North Karelia, Finland. match closely each other’s Y-DNA, having many The modal (most frequent) 12-marker markers in common. haplotype of Jonas Likins, Sr., died 1804, (Figure 1, next page), (presumably also Nils Andersson’s) shows a strong affinity to Finland: 423 or 15.6 % of 2,708 Y-DNA-tested men whose paternal lines as far as they know come from Finland and share the same 12-marker haplotype. The next highest frequencies by country are very low: Russia and Sweden (both 0.5 %) and Norway (0.3 %).

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 15 GENETIC GENEALOGY

YDNA evidence from this family tree is an example of how randomly Y-DNA STR mutations occur. (Short Tandem Repeat is a method to compare specific DNA loci from 2 or more people.) In David, Nils Andersson’s original 67-marker haplotype is intact. On the branches leading to Andrew and Liam, on the other hand, three and five different mutations, respectively, have occurred. This means Liam is not shown as a possible relative to Andrew within the genealogical time frame at FTDNA, since eight differences separate them. (FTDNA shows only persons having a maximum of seven on the 67 marker comparison level.) But in this case they have Nils Andersson as their common paternal ancestor who lived as far back as the 18th century! (On the lines of Charles E., Charles H., and Richard are potentially more mutations but so far they have had only 37 markers tested.) From burial records of two of Nils’ daughters it is known that he came from Nya Kopparberget, now called Ljusnarsberg parish, in Västmanland. Can he be found in records from that parish? There is one charcoal-burner Nils Andersson, but he is still listed in 1655, when “our” Nils family was already in New Sweden. There is also a tailor Nils (without a mentioned patronymic and without a wife in 1645), who seems to have disappeared from the parish in 1653/54. And there is only one Nils Andersson who is evidently the Likens/Likin ancestor: He doesn’t appear Figure 1 in the 1644 record, but does for the first time in Nils Andersson and Likens Family Tree, highlighting the male descendants 1645 as a mine worker (“gruvdräng”), with wife (her name is not mentioned). In 1651 (Figure 2) he is listed for the last time, now with his residence specified as Nya Kopparberget within the parish with the same name. In the next annual text records, for 1653, he is no longer listed. That “our” Nils with his family came to Nya Kopparberget in 1644 (or early 1645) is consistent with the fact that none of his four children is recorded in the period 1636−1645 in the birth records of the parish, which are carefully kept and preserved without any breaks. In fact, no man with the name Nils Andersson had any children christened in that parish in that time interval.

Figure 2 Nya Kopparberget listing, 1651. Nils Andersson is found on the 7th line in the left column as Nilß Anderßon, 2 people total. (Note: the ‘ß’ letter is the German double ‘s ’= English or modern Swedish ‘ss’.)

16 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL GENETIC GENEALOGY

Copper Mining Community: What kind of place was Nya Kopparberget in 1644? (Figure 3) It was a mining community which expanded rapidly just about that time. Copper had been found in the area only twenty years earlier, and privileges for mining had been received in 1641. The following year a courthouse was erected. The church was only nine years old. It’s known that many Finns were involved in this mining industry, notably the founder himself, Mårten Finne (the by-name meaning the Finn).

What is the origin of the family’s name? One hypothesis (Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig’s) is that Lyckan (‘a glen or clearing in the woods’) could have been the name of Peter’s and Michel’s settlement in the woods of Schackamaxon (in present northeast Philadelphia), and that they derived their name from that. (It seems to be a coincidence that in present-day Ljusnarsberg there is a farm called Lyckan. That latter farm name was not in use in Figure 3 older days according to parish records from the 1840’s and before.) The courthouse and Another hypothesis is that the name is derived from the village Liukola in the present town of Sankt the church at Nya Michel (Finnish Mikkeli) in Savolax, eastern Finland. Noteworthy is that Nils Andersson’s descendants Kopparberget. Today the are not recorded as Finns, but ethnicity wasn’t always mentioned in the records. There is one reference, town is called Kopparberg. though, that could indicate that his family was believed to have a Finnish origin. The naturalist Pehr (Postcard from around 1900 Kalm wrote in his book Travels in North America after his 1747 to 1751 visit and commented that the surnames of the colonists: “Tolsa, Mullika and Likonen may be recognized as Finnish names.” (It’s from Wikipedia Commons) uncertain if “Likonen” actually refers to Likens/Likin, though.) A third theory comes via Andrew Likins who has been in contact with Auvo Kostiainen, Professor of General History at the University of Turku, whose opinion is that the family name most probably started out as Liikanen, or otherwise Loikkanen, Laukkanen, Liukkonen or Luukkonen. Professor Kostiainen has suggested that an Anders Liukkonen, who in 1601(?) left for Sweden from the village of Liukola, could be an ancestor of this family. Savolax was an area from which many Finns came to Västmanland, and specifically to Ljusnarsberg where around a third of the Finns arrived ca 1600. (6) Thus, a plausible working hypothesis could be that Nils Andersson didn’t came from Finland himself, but his father (Anders Liukkonen) did. Hopefully, more DNA clues will come to solve the question!

Thanks to Andrew Likins, Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the above additional information.

REFERENCES

1) Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig, “Nils Andersson and His Lykins Descendants,” Swedish Colonial News, Volume 3, Number 5, pp. 2, 4, 5, (2006), see http://www.whitesnet.org/Lykns.html or https:// colonialswedes.net 2) https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/New_Sweden). Map (accessed 21 March 2017.) 3) The Lykins DNA Project, see http://www.familytreedna.com/public/lykins/default. aspx?section=ycolorized. 29 members as of 18 March 2017 4) www.eupedia.com/europe/Haplogroup_N1c_Y-DNA.shtml. (accessed 13 June 2017) 5) The Toivanen family: see Hiltunen Family Group DNA Project: https://www.FTDNA.com/group/ hiltunen. 151 members as of 18 March 2017 6) Veijo Saloheimo, “Det ser så ut: försöket att identifiera svedjefinnarnas ursprung i Finland,” 2009, page 14, in Swedish; see http://www.migrationinstitute.fi/pdf/Svedjefinnarnas_ursprung.pdf. (accessed 24 March 2017). Title in English is “It looks like this: the effort to identify Forest Finns originating in Finland.”

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 17 CRAIG COLLECTION Ronald Beatty Craig Collection Activities

The Craig Collection is historian Dr. Peter Craig’s research books and papers which he willed to The Swedish Colonial Society. Dr. Craig was the genealogist of the SCS and had been elected to be one of only 50 Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists (F.A.S.G.), an exceptional lifetime honor, and this collection of books and papers was “his baby.”

After his death in 2009, several industrious ancestral line. Requests have exceeded our wildest members of the SCS hired a truck, loaded 50 boxes expectations; Ron has now delivered nine packages Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig, of books and 50 boxes of loose papers and drove with seven more requested. John Tepe deserves J.D., FASG, FGSP 200 miles to unload those boxes into the basement rich praise for organizing the online sales site archives at the United Lutheran Seminary at and deciding on the $99 price! The most recent Philadelphia (ULS), located in Mt. Airy in package for the Friend family took two months to Philadelphia. Appreciation is once again due to assemble and totals 705 pages! (See next page for SCS’s Sally Bridwell, Al Capotosto, Ken Peterson, sales details). Ellen Rye, Kim-Eric Williams and to ULS’s Merely finding the family group sheets is Archivist John Peterson and Fellow James Ziebell quite the hunt for the proverbial “needle in as well as “two young strong seminary students” the haystack”. The group sheets for any single who unloaded the truck as described by Ellen individual may be filed in any of twenty “folders” Rye in Swedish Colonial News, vol. 4, no. 2, p.1, under the family name, or perhaps associated with Summer 2010. Those books and papers provide the congregation to which the family belonged, an incredible resource to anyone researching the or alternatively within the locale where they lived. “Antient Swedes” as Peter did for so long. Ron continues to develop a finding key that locates A reasonably thorough finding guide is available family group sheets; the list of names continues because Ron and Cynthia Forde-Beatty put to grow. Since the family sheets are hand-written, considerable time, effort, and money into raising computer searches often miss the mark. Similarly, funds from several councillors of the Society to pay the list of cryptic source citations (such as “Dern for the digitization and inventory of the collection. 368” or “Rac 330”) also continues to grow. Primary financing came from Ron and Cynthia These interpretations of the source citations are Forde-Beatty. Other contributors were Sally and prepended to each package, and Ron has recently Nagle Bridwell, Al Capotosto, Michael and Jill decided to append a concise description of New D’Andrea, Alfred Nicolosi, Herb and Zofia Rambo, Sweden daily life that appeared while researching Edward and WenJen Root, Ellen and Ray Rye, the Friend package, information that was formerly John Tepe, Jr., and an Anonymous. Organizations available on The Swedish Colonial Society website that were very generous were the Swedish Council before the latter was revised. of America and the Order of the First Families of The Friend family package included a couple Maryland. The current online access to the Craig of newly-added optional features: 1) Peter Craig’s Collection would be impossible without these analysis of two Andrew Friends and three Charles fundamental donations. Friends on the frontier whose records were The actual scanning of half a million pages of intermingled confusingly—a demonstration of the loose papers and transcription of nearly 10,000 data gathering and analysis required to separate family group sheets was done by forefather member such individuals from the tangled mess of data Austin Sisman, Cynthia’s grandson. Austin deserves (think of untangling a lot of string after a five- profuse gratitude for his unflagging dedication and year-old finishes playing with it). And 2) Rumors tremendous productivity in accomplishing all that that Refuse to Die: Peter Craig’s refutations of five in about a year. rumored individuals, again part of the confusions Ron Beatty continues to find ways to overextend muddying the truth. himself using the materials in the collection. He Ron contends that this is still fun because has volunteered to create “packages” of family he learns about New Sweden behaviors and group sheets for patrons willing to pay $99 per customs and discovers new Rambo (his forefather

18 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL CRAIG COLLECTION family) materials as he reviews the pages for each package. Since the materials include both correspondence and data from the web, the range of correspondents and topics varies widely. In all cases, Peter’s analytical mind and attention to details shine through. It would have been easier to learn genealogical techniques directly from Peter while he was living, but UPDATE these exercises with his correspondence are remarkably instructive. Adobe Acrobat Pro is a fun tool for techie types like Ron; it can convert scanned documents into computer-readable text, allow annotations, reorder pages, apply watermarks and enforce security. If anyone can remove indelible Swedish Colonial Society watermarks, Ron would love to know how. Even with the password he cannot remove those indelible ones. DNA Project Since there are now nine customers waiting patiently (we hope) for Ron to apply his perfectionist overachievement to their ancestral lines, we have by Rev. Cynthia Forde-Beatty and Becky decided to create quick “preliminary packages” consisting of ONLY the Griswold at Family Tree DNA.com family group sheets, to be followed by the extensive package whenever time allows Ron to “Get ’round to it.” So far, the SCS New Sweden DNA Project is going very well, even better than we expected! For those of you who have tested at Ancestry DNA or 23andMe and want to transfer your results to Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) and join the SCS DNA Project, we have good news! Now it is FREE to Craig Collection Packages Available transfer your DNA results to FTDNA. After transferring you can unlock all Family Finder Online—More to Come Features, which include the Chromosome Browser, myOrigins and ancientOrigins The Swedish Colonial Society has posted on its website for sale to the for only $19. Please email Becky Griswold, public nine packages of family group sheets and related materials from the [email protected] for more information. Craig Collection, with nine more being actively edited. Members can order further customized packages at craigcollection.colonialswedes.net. These packages are prepared with great effort by our genealogist Ron Beatty. They run from 18 to 260 pages in length and each costs $99. They are for the most part key word searchable. It is our hope that these materials, and others to follow, will facilitate the process by which members of The Swedish Colonial Society apply for forefather status as descendants of Swedish/ Finnish colonists who arrived in the thirteen colonies before the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783. https://www.familytreedna.com/groups For further information contact John Tepe at [email protected].

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 19 NEW SWEDEN NEWS Resurrect the Farmstead

Buy a Log!

Bridgeton NJ’s Please lend your support toward the resurrection of a unique American open-air Swedish Sister City 2017 museum, the New Sweden Colonial Farmstead. You can support this exciting High School Student restoration by buying a full log for $100 or a partial log for $50. While the Swedish Colonial Society has generously pledged $25,000 to erect Exchange Program the first cabin, the entire Farmstead project will require several times that amount. This fund-raising campaign will contribute to preserving, promoting and protecting the Scandinavian heritage of the Delaware Valley. Donors’ names will be permanently posted in the cabin they have helped to complete. Please specify “Farmstead” and send your tax-deductible contribution to the SCS treasurer: Linda Alexy, 438 Regina Street, Philadelphia PA 19116-2405. In 1988 the Farmstead, consisting of 7 log cabins representing a 17th century settler’s farm, was built under the supervision of Swedish craftsman Gunnar Zetterqvist based on existing farmsteads in Sweden. The museum was opened in Bridgeton NJ by King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia in celebration of the 350th anniversary of the founding of New Sweden on the Delaware in 1638. The Farmstead was a popular attraction with On Tuesday, February 21, the annual school groups and tourists excursion to New Sweden sites in for about 10 years until Wilmington, Delaware, was taken by the the local economy 2017 class of the Eskilstuna, Sweden- experienced a significant Bridgeton NJ exchange student program. decline and funding Standing at the altar of Holy Trinity became unavailable. (Old Swedes) Church are (from left Now the Swedish to right) Rebecca Wilson, Executive Colonial Society and the Director of Old Swedes historic site; New Sweden Company have begun moving and Aiyahna McCoy, Bridgeton student; restoring the cabins one at Ellen Eriksson and Johanna Rosenkvist, a time from New Jersey to the site on the Delaware River that was originally both Swedish students; George Linen, proposed for this project in 1938 by New Sweden’s foremost historian and founder Bridgeton faculty; Dyanna Magee, of SCS, Dr. Amandus Johnson. Bridgeton student; and Karin Grenabo, Governor Johan Printz ruled the New Sweden Colony from the Printzhof, in Swedish faculty. Essington, Tinicum Township PA, beginning in 1643. Each American hosts their Swedish The Farmstead will be a key part of Tinicum Township’s Governor Printz Park counterpart and the favor is returned Improvement Project whose goal is to develop the park as a community space and when the Americans go to visit regional riverfront destination, and to restore the impressive and historic structure Eskilstuna, Bridgeton’s sister city in nearby, the 1799 Lazaretto. With Tinicum Township and the Tinicum Township Sweden. This exemplary program has Historical Society as partners, we look forward to celebrating this fascinating been running at Bridgeton High since chapter in the history of the Delaware Valley while commemorating the the 1980’s. introduction of the iconic log cabin that played an essential role in expanding Thanks to Joe Mathews! America’s western frontier. by Joseph Mathews, Chairman, New Sweden Company Executive Committee (comments and questions to [email protected])

20 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN Peter Hollender Ridder contined from page 10 Conclusions Concerning Commandant Peter Ridder

From this article it is not possible to draw far-reaching conclusions but the following could be possible points for further study: The Dutch officers of Fort Christina had a problem of loyalty. There was a surplus of seafarers in the Netherlands. They had to donate their return to Europe as a service to their countrymen after serving the rival Swedes in America. On the other hand, Peter Ridder and his family had no problem of loyalty: They had chosen their side when they settled inside the Straits off the southwest coast of Finland. Example of new settler’s riihi, this one built 1937-1938. Every farmstead and Peter Ridder’s future depended totally on the benevolence of almost every fort had a “riihi”. Courtesy of Rääkkylä Seura. Fleming and Oxenstierna in Sweden. This was perhaps one explanation for the tension between the Dutch officers and Peter Hollender Ridder. NOT POOR PEASANTS, BUT RATHER Though Ridder’s written responsibility included only military duties, he, at his own risk, also took care of the civil WEALTHY FARMERS problems of the settlement; people accepted him as their civil The very source of success of Forest Finns was their high- administrative authority. Commandant Peter Ridder has been yielding but extremely wood-consuming cultivation method. rightfully regarded as a Governor of New Sweden in role In central Sweden, however, the swiddening ended suddenly. although not in title. The rise of the copper and iron industries, which took wood After three strenuous years Ridder left New Sweden, but the resources from the same forests for their smelting, caused Forest Finns with their swiddening culture stayed. This was a conflicts. Formerly welcomed settlers became forest-destroying lasting contribution that changed the military Fort Christina criminals. into the New Sweden Settlement; a new period of prosperity in Because the Crown had difficulty in finding eager emigrants the fertile Delaware Valley was in sight.33 to the Delaware Valley, these Finns solved two problems at once. Finns sentenced for illegal slash-and-burn cultivation were pardoned if they went to New Sweden, while others went AFTER COMMANDANT RIDDER’S voluntarily. In Sweden this “volunteerism” was strengthened by RETURN FROM NEW SWEDEN: “I HAVE Queen Christina’s vow to burn down the huts and houses of the ENJOYED MY DIFFICULT MISSION” swiddening Finns and to destroy their crops so they would be To give the last word to Ridder, we must remember that he 27 forced to leave the forests. used Old High German with Dutch dialectal forms. We needed The Forest Finns of central Sweden were not poor peasants; two PhD professors emeriti to translate the letters. they were rather rich farmers who traded their harvests as far According to Dr. Wedel’s translation into English, Ridder 28 as the coastal towns of Sweden and even abroad. In central wrote to Oxenstierna: “I was, however, the person who opened 29 Sweden many Finns were fully bilingual. To know who the way for the enterprise. As a refrain goes, I had to ‘bite off was a Swede and who was a Finn in New Sweden was an the top of the point’”. And later in the same letter, “I have almost impossible task: the Finnish settlers spoke Finnish only enjoyed my difficult mission.” 34 among themselves. If even one visitor was present, they would consistently speak Swedish.30 Because their agricultural method depleted resources within two or three generations, an integral HAPPY ENDING: DOUBLE WEDDING IN part of their life-style was their willingness to migrate. This STOCKHOLM CATHEDRAL helped them adjust quickly to the New Sweden settlement of Before leaving Stockholm for New Sweden in 1639 Ridder the Delaware Valley.31 had proposed to a butcher’s daughter but the father turned the Twenty years later the Dutch also noticed that the Finns, young man down. Perhaps the suitor was not wealthy enough? primitive or not, were very successful in cultivating the land, So we can imagine the young Commandant landing at the and many of them had attained prosperity. The Dutch Rocks with a broken heart! requested that more farmers be sent, “not Hollanders, however, contined on next page but other nations and especially Finns and Swedes, who are good farmers.” 32

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 21 GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

Ridder contined After returning from New Sweden, Peter had better luck. In Stockholm Cathedral under the sword of St George, Peter Ridder was wedded to Elisabet Johansdotter and his elder brother Hans simultaneously married Brita Johansdotter. Sisters Elisabet and Brita were orphans: there was no father to say no and their late adoptive father had been a wealthy Councilor and Burgher of Stockholm. An “Old poor Finn,” 35 as Peter Ridder introduced himself, died when he was over 80 years old. According to his will, he was buried permanently 6 May 1697 in Viipuri (Viborg Commandant’s House in front of Viipuri Castle. in Swedish), actually today Upstairs the residence of the Governor (Peter Ridder) inside Russia, east of the and administrative o ces (his brother Hans Ridder). Finnish border. Downstairs the residence and headquarters of the Commandant (Peter Ridder). Photo Tytti Halonen. Later, widow Elisabet Ridder Queen Christina’s letter, 1653, donating mills to did not inherit a kingdom, but Peter Ridder. Copy in Finnish National Archives. instead a stone house in Stockholm’s Old City where it stands even today, housing the Gråmunke Café (with good coffee and marvelous pastries!). FOOTNOTES: THE FAMILY STORY OF THE VIIPURI COMMANDANT 1. Williams, Kim-Eric, The Forgotten Governor, and The Letters of Peter H. Ridder, Root, You may remember my conclusion 50 years ago. I thought I had married a descendant Edward R., editor, Swedish Colonial News, of a pirate. I was wrong. The Hollender Ridder family knew better: Peter Ridder was vol. 5, no. 2, Philadelphia PA: The Swedish not a pirate but during his long life he was Commandant of Viipuri Castle. Colonial Society, (SCN 2014), pp. 1, 3-9, At various times during the 17th century, members of the Hollender Ridder family 18-21. had moved one after another to Vyborg (Finnish:Viipuri; Swedish:Viborg; Russian: 2. Ekenäs stads Dombok, 30 March 1639 Выборг), then a rich international commercial city called “the Rose Garden of Viipuri” 3. Ridder to Oxenstierna, Letter 7, probably where the family thrived. Elisabet Ridder, four daughters, and two sons moved from 1644, (SCN 2014), p.21 Stockholm to Viipuri when Peter was appointed as the Commandant and had his 4. Fleming to Ridder, Letter 1, July 1, 1639. headquarters and his residence (1666–1681) in the Commandant House. (SCN 2014), pp 5; 5. Weslager, C. A., A Man and His Ship, Peter Minuit and The Kalmar Nyckel, 2nd edition, MILLS DONATED BY QUEEN CHRISTINA Wilmington DE, (Weslager 2009), p 166 In addition the Hollender Ridder family had their mills, too. The Queen donated to 6. Johnson, Amandus, The Swedish Settlements Peter Ridder not one, but three, mills! on the Delaware, 1638 – 1664, Philadelphia PA: The Swedish Colonial Society, (Johnson After World War II, Viipuri, the Rose Garden City, and the mills, all became part 1911), p. 699 of Russia, USSR. Now you understand why the family, having this Swedish Royal 7. Ilmoinen, Salomon, Delawaren suomalaiset Letter signed by Queen Christina of Sweden granting the mills to them “in perpetuity (The Finns of Delaware) 2nd edition, property” ’till Ewärdeligh Egendoom” wants their mills returned by Mr. Putin. Hämeenlinna, (Ilmoinen 1988), p 52 8. Ridder to Oxenstierna, Letter 6, December 3, 1640. (SCN 2014), p. 20 9. Ridder to Fleming, Letter 2, May 13, 1640. (SCN 2014), p. 6 10. Ridder to Fleming, Letter 2, May 13, 1640. (SCN 2014), p. 6

22 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

11. Johnson 1911, pp. 128 - 129 12. Johnson 1911, p. 129 Johan Classon Risingh 13. Ridder to Oxenstierna, Letter 3, May 13, 1640. contined from page 13 (SCN 2014), p. 8 14. Weslager 2009, p. 172 15. Ridder to Fleming, Letter 2, May 13, 1640. (SCN The Dutch conquest 2014), p. 6; Ridder to Oxenstierna, Letter 3, May 13, 1640. (SCN 2014), p. 9 During the summer of 1655 Stuyvesant began energetically to prepare an 16. Ridder to Oxenstierna, Letter 5, June 8, 1640. attack. In late August he sailed up the Delaware River with seven ships, (SCN 2014), p. 18 including the De Waegh, with more than 300 soldiers, a company of 17. Ridder to Oxenstierna, Letter 6, December 3, seamen, and artillery. He forced the Swedish defenders of Fort Casimir to 1640. (SCN 2014), p. 19 give up, and after two weeks of siege, Risingh on September 15 also had 18. Ridder to Oxenstierna, Letter 5, June 8, 1640. to surrender Fort Christina. (SCN 2014), p. 18 What surprised the Swedes when they left Fort Christina was that 19. Johnson 1911, p. 203 Stuyvesant offered them the return of the fort. He also suggested a union 20. Johnson 1911, pp. 205-206 for both defense and attack. It was sufficient for the Dutch to have the 21. Johnson 1911, pp. 197-198 land below the Christina River, while the Swedes could retain the land 22. Johnson 1911, p. 132 north of that river. Thus both sides could come to an agreement on the 23. Johnson 1911, p. 202 Delaware River as a colonial territory. Risingh requested the proportion 24. Ilmoinen 1988, p. 52 in written form to have time to think it over. 25. Johnson 1911, p. 308 The reason for Stuyvesant’s offer was that, shortly before the 26. Vilkuna, Kustaa, Isien Työ. Veden ja Maan Viljaa. capitulation, he received word from the council in New Amsterdam that Arkityön Kauneutta (Work of Forefathers. Water the Indians had penetrated the colony. By sailing to the Delaware with and Earth Grain. The Beauty of a Work of Art) almost all his soldiers then available in New Amsterdam he had exposed Valok. Eino Mäkinen, illustrator, 3.p. (1943), the colony to an Indian attack. Helsinki 1976, p. 176, 198 Risingh’s answer to Stuyvesant was that the offer could not be 27. Kunnas, Jan, Traversal Technology Transfer: The accepted under the existing conditions. The Dutch had devastated the Transfer of Agricultural Knowledge Between colony so it would be difficult to survive the winter there. Nor did the Periferias in the North, In Northscapes: History, Technology, and the Making of Northern Swedes feel they could rely upon the Dutch to keep their promise. They Environments, Editors Dolly Jørgensen, Sverker were afraid of new provocations when Stuyvesant had cleared up the Sörlin. Vnacouver: University of British Columbia problems in New Amsterdam. Press, (Kunnas 2013), pp. 142-143 Finally, Risingh believed that he did not have the authority to make 28. Pentikäinen, Juha, The Forest Finns as Transmitters concessions on the reparations to which the Swedish crown was entitled of Finnish Culture from Savo Via Central for the losses caused by the Dutch military action. This question was on a Scandinavia to Delaware. In New Sweden in level which should be dealt with by the governments of the two states. America, editors Carol E. Hoffecker et al, It was also surprising that Stuyvesant at Risingh’s request left the London: Associated University Press; Newark DE: University of Delaware Press, 1995 p. 295; cannons, other weapons, and equipment in the fort that belonged to the (Kunnas 2013), p. 142 Swedish crown. It may be explained by the fact that he wanted to have 29. Tarkiainen, Kari, The Emigration of Swedish- good relations with the people in the Swedish area and because of the Finnish Burnbeaters to Delaware, Turku, Finland: threatening situation in New Amsterdam. Siirtolaisuusinstituutti (Institute of Migration), In connection with the capitulation, Risingh and Stuyvesant wrote Migration 2, (Tarkiainen 1989), p. 4 a separate article (Amandus Johnson argues that it was secret) about a 30. Tarkiainen 1989, p. 9 loan to Risingh of 300 Flemish pounds to cover Risingh’s needs on the 31. Pentikäinen 1995, p. 293 home journey and the first months in Sweden. The weapons and effects 32. Johnson 1911, p. 666 (moveable property) in Fort Christina belonging to the Swedish state and 33. Johnson 1911, p. 202 the New Sweden Company was security for the loan. It should be repaid 34. Ridder to Oxenstierna, Letter 7, probably 1644, in Amsterdam within 6 months. (SCN 2014), p. 21 Risingh’s relations with Stuyvesant had, up to now, been respectful, 35. Ridder to Per Brahe, undated letter written after even during the capitulation negotiations. However, later, when 1681. Georg Luther’s Archives, Finland. Risingh with his followers were to leave New Amsterdam for Europe, they changed to a more irritable tone. Risingh, via von Elswich, made complaints about the various damages done to the property belonging to the Swedish state and the Company. He also accused Stuyvesant of breaching the stipulated capitulation, not providing proper lodging, and that the people departing with Risingh had to leave on various ships. Stuyvesant answered with counter protests after which Risingh, in a letter again calling attention to these complaints, also accused Stuyvesant of

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 23 GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN lying about the separate negotiations on the loan. Stuyvesant The loan amount was rather small compared with the called them secret and without the knowledge of the people demands he would later have for his service as governor. When at Fort Christina. Risingh emphasized that they were made he changed it to florins in London he got 1,800, with a value of with the people’s knowledge and signed by Stuyvesant in their 720 silver daler in Sweden. This sum today represents 186,970 presence and at the place where he and Stuyvesant had met Swedish crowns, an amount which corresponds to a little more during the negotiations on the capitulation articles. Stuyvesant than half a year’s income for a Swedish high school teacher. It did not answer this letter. is a small amount compared to the repayment Risingh ought to have received for his expenses and the salary he earned while RETURN TO SWEDEN governor of New Sweden. The fact is that After Risingh returned to Sweden Risingh´s claims in in March 1657 King Charles the judicial process X Gustavus appointed him as were confirmed as chief inspector of the tolls for legitimate. He was Prussia and Pomerania. That nevertheless damaged post lasted to 1660, and in greatly by this six- August the same year Risingh year-long process. It was back in Stockholm. He then was therefore difficult held no other posts except for a for him to reach a temporary one as associate judge new position, as for in a maritime court, which was example, in the Board established in 1665. This court of Commerce. It may was abolished the following year Israel Lagerfelt have been that Israel without having begun its work Lagerfelt, whom and without Risingh having Risingh had been in conflict with during the trials, served there or receiving any and who had a dominant position on the board, was salary. For a short time, he was an influence after 1668 on Risingh’s not receiving requested by Magnus Gabriel De the money for his acknowledged claims. At the la Gardie to make a city plan for same time he had large debts. Another reason could Lidköping and some other city King Charles X Gustavus be the difficulties for the Swedish crown to pay planning. Risingh now mostly salaries because of the previous long war period. lived in poverty and after several Therefore, during the rest of his life Risingh lived in poverty. years of illness he died in April 1672, 55 or 56 years old. But he still strove to finish his works on economics and to get After his return to Sweden Risingh had been occupied them onto the market. His success in publishing two books mainly with three matters. One was his writings to convince despite setbacks and illness is witness to his perseverance. King Charles Gustavus and the Swedish government to retake New Sweden. The current wars, however, absorbed the king and country too much for this objective to be considered. POSTHUMOUS REPUTATION Another was the writing of his economic theses. A third was his Risingh is remembered by history primarily for three juridical process with the New Sweden Company and the Board contributions. One is his research on economic theories. of Commerce concerning economic demands for his work in Another is the valuable historic information he has supplied to the colony. posterity in his diary from the expedition on The Eagle and in Risingh’s legal process against the New Sweden Company his governmental reports. The third is his role as a governor and was initiated by him in 1662 and it reached up to the court leader of New Sweden and the subsequent loss of the colony. of appeal. The process went slowly. Not until four years later (1666) did the court receive an order from the regency Risingh’s economic research to examine whether or not Risingh caused the loss of New His book on economy and trade was called A Treatise on Sweden. He was acquitted of that accusation in the fall of 1667, Commerce and consisted of three parts: One on goods, trading after which, in 1668, he received a resolution from the regency sites and shipping, one on currency, weights, and measures, and in which most of his financial claims were acknowledged. one on the business of exchange. Only the first part has been Concerning the loan from Stuyvesant of 300 Flemish preserved. However, Risingh, in 1669, published a summary of pounds, no source material has been found confirming that he his larger work titled An Extract on Trade or Commerce. Then paid it back in Amsterdam. The cannons at Fort Christina left in 1671, one year prior to his death, Een Landbook, concerning there as a security were later found to be in New Amsterdam. agriculture, appeared. He was also the author of several other Risingh probably looked upon the loan as a part of the unprinted essays on economics. settlement of his accounts with the Board of Commerce.

24 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL GOVERNORS OF NEW SWEDEN

On his economic studies, he has been acclaimed by several To speed up this process they appointed Petrus Stuyvesant economists. Eli F. Heckscher points out that, even if Risingh as director. He was more efficient than Kieft and was strong was not original, he introduced mercantile ideas into Swedish militarily so he could act as he wanted in the Delaware region. literature and was therefore significant in the development By erecting Fort Casimir the Dutch could control all the Swedish of the economic debate in Sweden. Sven Gerentz, another sailing traffic. economic scholar, believes that Risingh had a great influence on The fact that the expedition with The Eagle and Risingh’s the Board of Commerce. His ideas for many years formed the leadership could for a while be successful was largely due to the basis for the economic policy of the Swedish government. war between the Netherlands and England. The military capacity of the New Netherland colony had to be concentrated on the Risingh’s writings as historical source material defense against an English attack. With the peace between the Risingh, with his intellectual personality, made daily notations Netherlands and England in the summer of 1654 and with in diary form in his journal aboard The Eagle. He also wrote the knowledge of a new Swedish expedition under preparation several official reports from New Sweden to the government in with the Mercurius, the West India Company started as soon as Sweden. This material is regarded as one of the best historical possible its military action against New Sweden by sending orders sources for present day historical research on the seventeenth to Stuyvesant and by sending the ship De Waegh with soldiers to century colonial societies of eastern North America. New Amsterdam. The existence of New Sweden soon came to an end. The loss of New Sweden Johan Risingh’s hopes for New Sweden had been far-reaching Some historians have stated that Risingh was guilty for the loss when he left for the colony. The loss of it was the great setback of the colony because of his capture of Fort Casimir. Other in his life. It is a pity that this able person should devote some of historians are of an opposite opinion, for example Ellen Fries. the best years of his life to a leadership with so small a chance of Stellan Dahlgren, the Swedish historian who specializes in succeeding, and that his life should end so tragically. the seventeenth century and seems to have studied Risingh Risingh governed New Sweden with a deep sense of most exhaustively, says that the capture of Fort Casimir has responsibility. With a long-range strategy, he made admirable been exaggerated. The incident was of a type that continually progress for the welfare of the people and the colony. During his occurred in the colonies, which normally did not give rise to time as leader, New Sweden had a short period of prosperity, a any dramatic actions. Furthermore, there were other, more development which promised much for the future, had not the fundamental causes for the order from the Netherlands to bring Dutch put a stop to it. an end to the Swedish presence in the Delaware region: above It is now time for the descendants of the colonists of New all was probably the fear that Sweden would strengthen its Sweden to appreciate his achievements more. My suggestion is colony in America with new expeditions. The Dutch attack on for the erection of a memorial monument, a bust or a statue. New Sweden may also have been determined by their hostilities against Sweden in 1655 when they strongly competed with the Swedish trade in the Baltic. REFERENCE: It should be mentioned that Risingh’s capture of Fort The Rise and Fall of New Sweden, Casimir was initially looked upon with favor by the Swedish “Governor Johan Risingh’s Journal, government and Risingh’s resolute conduct towards the 1654-1655, in its Historical Context,” Dutch was praised, for example, by his later antagonist Israel by Stellan Dahlgren, Hans Norman, Uppsala: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1988. Lagerfelt. When New Sweden was later lost, it was easy to seek an explanation in which Risingh was made the scapegoat. That is what has happened to many persons in history. After 1664 Stuyvesant was also looked upon as a scapegoat for the loss of New Amsterdam to the English. The loss of New Sweden should be seen in a greater economic and political perspective in northwestern Europe and in colonial North America. Since the beginning of New Sweden, the Netherlands and the Netherland West India Company saw the Swedish colonial venture as something temporary. Previously the Dutch had explored and partially started colonization and a trade station on the Delaware. They believed that the “South River” area belonged to them. They hoped that New Sweden after some time would die out on its own.

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 25 MEMBER NEWS NEW MEMBERSHIP

NEW LIFETIME MEMBERS FAMILY MEMBERS

Carol Ann Beatty Bryant, Mt. Olive IL Christopher Kirkpatrick Hull, Fort Worth TX Lauren Forde, Houston TX Donald Mark Phillips, Norwalk CT Steven Forde, Houston TX Lois Elmore Purcell, New Berlin, PA Rachel Miller, Tomball TX Edward G. Rubillo, Lester PA New Members Welcome! Fyn R. Schulke-Forde, Cypress TX Steve Williams, Fort Lauderdale FL THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY welcomes new members. No Swedish relative or ancestry is Zoe E. Schulke-Forde, Cypress TX required – only an interest in colonial history. Brett Sisman, Denver CO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Contact our Registrar: Peg Berich Dale Boatright, Springdale AR The Swedish Colonial Society UPGRADED TO 916 S. Swanson St. LIFETIME MEMBERS Laurie Fitzpatrick, Philadelphia PA Philadelphia, PA 19147-4332 Becky Griswold, Chestereld VA or [email protected]. Earl Enix, Centennial CO Diana Hansen, Fountain Hills AZ The annual membership fee for an individual Jon Forde, Montgomery TX Diana Hill, Round Rock TX is $45. An annual family membership, which includes two adults and minor children, is $52.50. Paul V. Forde, Cypress TX Janet Hofmann, Glasgow KY Samantha Forde, Houston TX Kenneth L. Irons, Jr., Dallas TX Wally Francis, Syracuse, NY Pamela Leigh, Wayne MI Kathryn S.F. Reinhardt, Shaker Heights OH Ann M. Moore, Audubon PA Roxanne Sisman, Cypress TX Donald Mosemann, Newark NJ Stephen A. Ralls, McLean VA Ruth Rizza, Exton PA Albert W. Smith, Atwood TN Journal Editor: Edward R. Root, M.D. Articles or letters to the editor may be sent to FOREFATHER MEMBERS [email protected] or call 732.276.5470. Active members of the Swedish Colonial Society may apply for recognition as “Forefather Members” Swedish website: NyaSverigeiNordAmerika.se, if they can prove descent from Swedish colonists arriving in the United States prior to the Treaty of hosted by Leif Lundquist, Webmaster Paris, marking the close of the Revolutionary War, in 1783. Application forms may be obtained from the SCS website www.ColonialSwedes.net. Also on the website is a complete listing of active Contributors (*author), photos as credited: SCS members and their respective forefathers. Magnus Bäckmark*, Ronald S. Beatty*, Emily M. (Peg) Berich, Michael D’Andrea*, Cynthia Forde-Beat- ty*, Becky Griswold*, Tytti Halonen*, Andrew Likins, Björn Lyrvall*, Joseph Mathews*, Hans Norman*, Ken Peterson, Herb Rambo*, Ellen Rye, Earl E. Seppälä*, John Tepe*, Beverly B. Walker, Kim-Eric Williams.

Journal Design: Gene Gilroy

26 THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL MEMBER NEWS

SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY UPCOMING EVENT PATRONS, OFFICERS & COUNCILLORS

High Patron Historian ANNUAL JULMIDDAG His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf The Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams CELEBRATION King of Sweden Curator SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 Deputy High Patron Beverly B. Walker The Luncheon will take place from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Her Royal Highness at the Corinthian Yacht Club, Essington PA Crown Princess Victoria Archivist Mark your calendars and see you there! Edward R. Root, M.D. Patron Her Excellency Karin Olofsdotter Marshal Ambassador of Sweden vacant Sincere thanks to the benefactors whose contributions supported our 2016 Julmiddag Celebration: Associate Patron Chaplain Jill and Michael D’Andrea Ulf Aakerblom, Honorary Consul vacant John and Emily Tepe of Sweden-Philadelphia Kristina Antoniades, M.D. Webmaster Honorary Governors Candace Roberts Margaret Sooy Bridwell Herbert R. Rambo Genealogists The Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams Ronald S. Beatty Ronald A. Hendrickson, Esq. The Rev. Dr. Cynthia John C. Cameron, Esq. Forde-Beatty

Governor Councillors Michael R. D’Andrea Kenneth Alexy Britt M. Apell Deputy Governor – Lawrence Backlund Membership Marie B. Boisvert John B. Tepe, Jr., Esq. Theresa Brasko Alfred B. Capotosto Deputy Governor – DeAnn Clancy Administration Fred Davidson Jill D’Andrea Aleasa Hogate FOREFATHER’S DAY Leif Lundquist Treasurer LUNCHEON Marianne E. Mackenzie Linda K. Alexy Joseph Mathews Alfred J. Nicolosi The Swedish Colonial Society We are grateful to the following Registrar Emily M. (Peg) Berich Sandra S. Pfa and the Delaware Swedish benefactors for their support: Edith A. Rohrman Colonial Society celebrated Jill and Michael D’Andrea Ellen T. Rye the annual Forefather’s Day Emily and John Tepe Recording Secretary Susan B. Spackman Luncheon on April 8, 2017 Sandra and Fred Pfaff Kristina Antoniades, M.D. Richard Steadham at the American Swedish Ellen and Raymond Rye Historical Museum. Earl and Sylvia Seppälä Kyle and Linda Mason

THE SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 27 the Swedish Colonial society journal PRESORTED FIRST CLASS U. S. POSTAGE The Swedish Colonial Society PAID 916 South Swanson Street FORT WASHINGTON, PA Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147-4332 PERMIT NO. 90 www.ColonialSwedes.net

Resurrect the Farmstead: BUY A LOG!

see page 20

UPCOMING EVENT

17TH ANNUAL Lazaretto Ballroom This year the New Sweden History 99 Wanamaker Avenue Conference heads back to the NEW SWEDEN Essington, PA 19029 Lazaretto Ballroom in Essington PA. The 2017 theme will explore HISTORY CONFERENCE: For more information the migration of Swedish colonists please visit from the original landing point New Sweden Beyond the www.americanswedish.org of Wilmington Delaware to the or call 215-389-1776. greater Delaware Valley and east Delaware, 1638-1776 coast region. Through material culture and the science of DNA, speakers SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017 will examine how members of the New Sweden Colony and 8:30AM – 3PM subsequent generations were able to maintain their sense of culture and community while assimilating into the shifting political power structures around them. Evidence of cultural preservation will be traced through language records, personal case studies, use of mapping systems to locate Swedish settlements, and how DNA evidence supports records of Swedish diaspora from the original colony. Speakers on this topic include Brian Crane, Sean Moir, Laurie Fitzpatrick, Catherine Dann Roeber, and Becky Griswold. Be sure to join us for a fascinating day of history while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the Lazaretto Ballroom. Registration includes the conference, breakfast and lunch: $60 per person ($35 for students and teachers). “VIEW FROM BUSHONGO TAVERN 5 MILES FROM YORK TOWN ON THE BALTIMORE ROAD” 1788, ENGRAVING, THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY. THE MARIAM AND IRA D. WALLACH DIVISION OF ARTS, PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS: PRINT COLLECTION